Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)
43 previous year UPSC Prelims questions here cover topics that sit outside the main chapters, from 2011 to 2023. They include government schemes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana and the Soil Health Card, digital public platforms, sports awards and bodies such as the Tea Board and the Labour Bureau. The explanations state what each scheme or body does.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 11–20 of 43 questions
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UPSC 2022International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q11. Consider the following: 1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. DigiLocker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?
Explanation
Open-source digital platforms enable transparency, scalability, and accessibility in India’s e-governance initiatives. Aarogya Setu (contact tracing for COVID-19) was later open-sourced to enhance security and transparency. CoWIN (COVID-19 vaccination platform) was built using an open-source framework to facilitate large-scale vaccination tracking. DigiLocker (cloud-based document storage) operates on an open-source framework, allowing citizens to access digital documents securely. DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) is an open-source platform for education and teacher training.
UPSC 2022International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q12. With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 3. It has seamless portability across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a flagship program for creating a unified digital health infrastructure in India. While hospitals are encouraged to adopt it, there is no mandatory requirement for private hospitals to join ABDM.
Statement 2 is incorrect: ABDM aims to improve accessibility to digital health services, but it is not mandatory for all citizens.
Statement 3 is correct: ABDM offers seamless portability across India, enabling citizens to access health records digitally, irrespective of location.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q13. Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: 1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’. 2. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are included in this Olympics. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The 32nd Summer Olympics, originally scheduled for 2020 but held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was one of the most unprecedented edi-tions in Olympic history. The official motto for Tokyo 2020 was "United by Emotion," a departure from the 2016 Rio Olympics’ motto, "A New World."
Statement 2 is correct: The Tokyo Olympics saw the addition of five new sports, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Baseball/Softball (which returned after being removed in 2008). These sports were included to enhance youth engagement and bring more diversity to the Games.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q14. Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000: 1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award. 2. The award was received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far. 3. Roger Federer received this award maximum number of times compared to others. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Laureus World Sports Award, also known as the ‘Oscar of Sports’, recognizes exceptional performances in global sports annually. Tiger Woods was the first-ever winner of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in 2000, following his dominance in golf.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Formula One drivers have received the award, but it has not been mostly won by them. Instead, tennis, golf, and athletics players have been frequent recipients.
Statement 3 is correct: Roger Federer holds the record for the most wins (5 times: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2018) in the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year category.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q15. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. 2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once. 3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year. Which of the above statements are not correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors, conferred by the President of India. As per Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the State shall not confer titles except military and academic distinctions. However, Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are not considered "titles" and have been upheld by the Supreme Court.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, were suspended twice, in 1977 and 1993 due to policy reviews.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The maximum number of Bharat Ratna awards per year is limited to three, not five. However, in 2024, this honour was bestowed upon five distinguished personalities namely, Karpoori Thakur, L. K. Advani, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and M. S. Swaminathan.
UPSC 2020International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q16. In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context of:
Explanation
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a cryptographic framework that ensures secure electronic transactions, authentication, and digital signatures. It involves the use of public and private keys, digital certificates, and certificate authorities to enable safe communication online. PKI plays a crucial role in areas such as e-governance, online banking, Aadhaar authentication, and cybersecurity. In India, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) oversees digital signature certificates (DSCs) and encryption technologies under the Information Technology Act, 2000, making PKI integral to the country’s digital security infrastructure.
UPSC 2019International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q17. Consider the following statements: 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas. 3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was established in 2006 to regulate natural gas and petroleum products. It is not the first regulatory body in India. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) (1997) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (1992) were established earlier.
Statement 2 is correct: PNGRB ensures competitive gas markets, tariff regulation, and fair trade practices in natural gas distribution.
Statement 3 is correct: Appeals against PNGRB’s decisions are heard by the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), which also deals with power sector disputes.
UPSC 2019International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q18. Consider the following States: 1. Chhattisgarh 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Maharashtra 4. Odisha With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?
Explanation
India’s forest cover varies significantly across states, with eastern and central states having higher coverage. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2019, the correct ascending order based on percentage of forest cover to the total area is:
Maharashtra (16.47%) Madhya Pradesh (25.11%) Odisha (32.98%) Chhattisgarh (41.09%) Thus, the correct order is Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Odisha Chhattisgarh (3-2-4-1).
UPSC 2018International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q19. With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements: 1. ‘The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. 2. ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Devel-opment Authority’ (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP. 3. Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: NPOP is implemented under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of Rural Development. It sets standards for organic production and certification.
Statement 2 is correct: APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the Secretariat for NPOP, ensuring certification and export facilitation of organic products.
Statement 3 is correct: Sikkim became India’s first fully organic state in 2016, implementing strict policies to eliminate chemical fertilizers and pesticides, covering 75,000 hectares of farmland under organic farming.
UPSC 2018International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q20. Consider the following events: 1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India. 2. India’s then largest bank, ‘Imperial Bank of India’, was renamed ‘State Bank of India’. 3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier. 4. Goa became a part of independent India. Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
Explanation
Air India was nationalized in 1953 under the Air Corporations Act, 1953. Imperial Bank of India was renamed as the State Bank of India (SBI) in 1955 as part of banking sector reforms. India’s first democratically elected communist government was formed in Kerala in 1957, with E.M.S. Namboodiripad as Chief Minister. Goa was annexed by India and became part of independent India in 1961 after "Operation Vijay". Therefore, the correct chronological sequence is 3-2-1-4. Thus, the correct chronological order is 1953 (Air India Nationalization) 1955 (SBI Renaming) 1957 (First Communist Government) 1961 (Goa’s Liberation).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2022
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
12
2022
(b) 3 only
13
2021
(b) 2 only
14
2021
(c) 1 and 3 only
15
2021
(d) 1, 2 and 3
16
2020
(a) Digital security infrastructure
17
2019
(b) 2 and 3 only
18
2019
(c) 3-2-4-1
19
2018
(b) 2 and 3 only
20
2018
(b) 3-2-1-4
What UPSC has tested in Miscellaneous
Aarogya Setu, CoWIN, DigiLocker and DIKSHA are all built on open-source digital platforms.
The Labour Bureau compiles information on industrial disputes, closures and retrenchments.
Public Key Infrastructure in India is used in the context of digital security infrastructure.
The Polar Code is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
Aadhaar cannot be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Miscellaneous?
This page covers 43 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Miscellaneous (International Relations and Current Affairs), asked from 2011 to 2023. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Can Aadhaar be used as proof of citizenship?
No. Aadhaar is an identity number given to residents and is not proof of citizenship, domicile or date of birth. A statement claiming that it proves citizenship or domicile is therefore incorrect.
What is the Polar Code?
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, adopted by the International Maritime Organization. It sets safety and environmental rules for ships in Arctic and Antarctic waters, and came into force in 2017.
Which body compiles data on industrial disputes in India?
The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It compiles statistics on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, wages and the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers.
